How to fix a scratch or skip on a vinyl record album

I decided to redo this video with a microscope so you can see what I’m doing. Take your time and go slow. It can be done and it’s actually pretty easy with practice, but not everything can be fixed
#recordcleaning #recordcleaning #scratchedrecord #fixingrecords

[@AdnanANasir]

Happy new year and season greetings. I have just watched your video. I will try to fix my vinyls. Thanks

[@user-hw2ik5dj1z]

I've found the best way is to just to use a Cartridge & Stylus that your not too bothered about. I use an old Audio Technica AT3600L that came on an old deck I had, Just set you old Cartridge & Stylus up on your deck then turn the Counterweight right up so there's loads of weight on the Stylus then just keep playing the record over & over again over the scratch and that will work if you scratch isn't too deep.

[@ricefieldrecords]

I shave down a toothpick to a needle point. Something about the touch of wood on the vinyl surface versus a metal needle gives my fingers a better feeling of control. The metal needle can bounce around and cause more problems. Wood is softer. That's been my experience. Hard enough to be working upside down and backwards when viewing through a low power handheld microscope.

[@spatulacityrecords6263]

Never had any control issues with a needle.

[@ricefieldrecords]

@@spatulacityrecords6263 I feel more comfortable applying pressure with a wood point than I do with metal. Metal feels more slippery.

[@parthamazumder5860]

Brilliant explanation. Thanks a ton. Atleast now I know the theory behind the skips

[@26Jorgeb]

Hey man, great and very helpful video.Thank you so much.

[@boofer875]

Great video. Guess when I was a very young DJ. Yes! 1969-1975. Country and Rock. My manager gave me any record if we had duplicates. I have about $60,000 worth of work for you. Seriously man, good work. And Sam Cooke is great.

[@ac34116]

omg thanks alot. at least i could get my vinyl from making a loud pop to making a soft click with this method. so effectively saved it :)

[@GeirEgilThorstensen]

Greetings and many thanx from Norway!

[@IS_CBR_2763]

Thank you so much! This worked!

[@peterrech2307]

Happy new year, Hope the new one is better than the previous two.........Enjoy the music

[@chevalsauer]

Great video, I've got a Dire Straits album with a few skips that year really annoying, and a couple other records also, will be very careful at them thanks

[@mrbard1]

hell yeah thank you for this. I accidently dropped a stapler on a Queens of the Stone age album and it scratched a small bit of it.

[@ministerofdarkness]

I've been using a toothpick, with good results for years. But I'm gonna try the needle method. No more skips 2022! 📍

[@spatulacityrecords6263]

What type of toothpicks are you using? I could see where they would be beneficial but I’ve tried several from restaurants and they just buckle or are too wide to get in the groove. The needle is nice because if you have a really messed up groove you can sometimes groove a new one. Not for the faint of heart and it will usually tick but it will fix a skip.

[@Ripper77pep]

great explanation....Thanks :)

[@VintageGearMan]

I had to to do this on an "original" Etta James At Last, Chess records LP. It was nerve racking but it now no longer skips and that record is super rare! My repair on this record was done over 12 or 15 years ago.

[@macfid]

Nice one. Thanks.

[@andrewhackney3718]

Took a beat up copy of My Funny Valentine by Miles Davis and improved the playing by quite a bit with this technique. Had a spot on the second song that would get caught and create a repeat cycle. It took a while to smooth out but no longer gets caught and allows it to play through. Definitely a tedious process but it did work. You showing the angle on the needle set up was huge. Also, only used a 10x magnifier so hoping to get better results with something stronger. Thanks man!

[@spatulacityrecords6263]

You got it! Glad it helped. A stronger magnifier is a huge difference

[@andrewhackney3718]

I agree! Just used a 30x jewelry magnifier on a Three Sounds microgroove that got rid like 80% of the pops with a pretty decent sized vertical scratch that spanned one and a half songs. Took forever but I’m sure it’ll get efficient with more practice. Thanks again man!

[@fdynda]

TY very much. Third time watching. Is it correct to assume that 45s will be easier to fix. Are they fixed in the same manner. Look forward to your response

[@spatulacityrecords6263]

They’re the same. I don’t know if they’re easier. I rarely deal in 45s but they are better made to take the beating given to them from jukeboxes.

[@tripplebeards3427]

Thsnks

[@lordspucke8938]

supreme.thx

[@brucevair-turnbull8082]

Fascinating method you have there to fix irritating skips. Here's a dilemma: I bought a rare (first pressing) of an album (worth approx. £150) and found mice had eaten part of the rear sleeve. The disc itself is spotless minus a tiny point (a mouses's tooth mark?) which causes a single skip in the first two seconds of side 2. Should I attempt your remedy or simply live with it?

[@Akondom]

I'm a record dealer, it's all I do for a living. In my opinion I'd try and fix it. A skip is a death sentence for value

[@jurnagin]

Murphy's oil soap works wonders, but when it dry the skips come back, I guess the soap keeps the needle from sliding out the track

[@spatulacityrecords6263]

So, it doesn’t work very well at all? Also, all that soap is going to build up on your stylus or needle as you play the record, distorting the sound.

[@jurnagin]

@@spatulacityrecords6263 growing up in the 80's our favorite album was scratched up and I remember our mother trying Murphy's oil soap and the Album played clear as new, it was amazing and yes after a few songs the magic was over lol

[@grayhalf1854]

I've got quite a rare album that was mastered poorly and has two grooves that literally touch; as such it skips at that point. I've been wondering if it's fixable. It's difficult because effectively what I need to do is introduce a new 'wall' between the grooves. Perhaps heating it up to soften the pvc then using a toothpick or needle to make the correct groove the 'path of least resistance'??

[@spatulacityrecords6263]

Do NOT heat up the record. You will ruin it.

[@AshGoldn]

The adjustable desk stand that you used - what is it called? I can't seem to find them on amazon and I must be typing in the wrong names for it. And thank you for the video.

[@spatulacityrecords6263]

Not sure what you’re asking? Adjustable magnifier?

[@AshGoldn]

@@spatulacityrecords6263 you have your hand on it at 8:32.

[@user-rj4mr2cp7e]

So what you are saying I shouldn’t try and fix revolver 1st

[@javialan2503]

Lol. I was just looking to see how to do this method to try a test run on my Herb Alpert Whipped Cream record when you mentioned don't try it on that one. LMAO. What are the friggen odds.

[@spatulacityrecords6263]

Seriously. Don’t mess with Herb.

[@mestredigital2]

I use a insulin needle. Is very thin.

[@JimothyO]

What is the name of that little magnifying glass?

[@spatulacityrecords6263]

It doesn’t have a name. It’s a 60x - 100x magnifier. They’re made for iPhones

[@justinsapigao3489]

Hey hows it going do you still live in la quinta CA?

[@spatulacityrecords6263]

No. We moved to AZ a little over 2 years ago. We only sell thru our website now Spatulacityrecords.com

[@MrPompanoman]

Turn up your volume please

[@spatulacityrecords6263]

I think that happens on your end.

[@MrPompanoman]

@@spatulacityrecords6263 you may be right my phone is a pos

[@patsvinylcorner]

I did try the eraser trick on my hot mix Led Zeppelin II hot mix. Got it for 10 dollars so I didn't feel like buying another one for much more money in even worse shape and it worked but I agree, don't try shit like this on something you paid alot of money for and it's rare. It's not worth it

[@spatulacityrecords6263]

It’s absolutely worth it, if you know what you’re doing. My point was don’t try this for the first time on a valuable record. I have people send me records from all over the world to fix.

[@patsvinylcorner]

@@spatulacityrecords6263 my bad. I was agreeing with you on that part. As a first time I wouldn't do it. I would send it to someone like you or try an alternative method

[@GothicKittyMadness]

DO NOT DO THIS! unless your goal is to permanently damage your vinyl.

[@spatulacityrecords6263]

Read the comments, you’re the only detractor. I have people from all over the world send me records to fix. I’ve owned a record store for over 10 years and have listened to records longer than you’ve been on the planet. What are your credentials?

[@GothicKittyMadness]

@@spatulacityrecords6263 that's hard to believe.

[@mickmutante]

I tried with a tooth pick.. but the best result i have archieved is with ice...

[@spatulacityrecords6263]

Wait, what? How does that work? Are you rubbing the ice so threat it pushes the vinyl grooves back in place?

[@mickmutante]

@@spatulacityrecords6263 Yes... first i clean it... with soap, cloth (microfiber), etc.. Then i take a cube of ice and star to rubbing following the grooves nearby the skip or scratch, that way the ice "copy" the grooves.. you will fell it... the keep rubbing on the skip... over and over... with some dee skratches doesn not work.. (son that why i was watching your video. hahahahah) Anyway.. the leyend says.. that technique was used with "dry ice" or very very low ice temperature... I heard that when i was a kid (almost 38 years ago) but i am not shure about that.

[@Martorell_]

@@mickmutante Imma try it in like half an hour with a record I messed up yesterday.

[@cassidybeach4831]

@@Martorell_ how did it end up?

[@cassidybeach4831]

@@Martorell_ how did it end up?

[@royrice6060]

May not be rocket science but almost like brain surgery!! Only for the steady of hand and nerves of still. 👍👍👍

[@almc-wi5vo]

The best way to fix this is to buy a NEW LP. The toothpick technic is rediculous. If you don't think so, try it.

[@spatulacityrecords6263]

Guy, do you think I put this up without trying it? It’s not hard, AT ALL. It’s ridiculously (correct spelling included) easy. Troll someone else.

[@MrRepeters]

Dear Spatula, your video is very informative. However, videos recorded in the vertical format are VERY distracting and unprofessional. I love your content but can't get past the vertical format. The recording in the horizontal format is so much better for viewing on either a web page or a phone.